Check your children's trick-or-treat radius for registered sex offenders

Princesses, ghouls and goblins are hitting the streets right now in search of candy.

But deputies in Lake County are searching for something else -- sex offenders.

Maria and Denver Johnson were spending their Friday afternoon putting the finishing touches on their Halloween display.

“That’s why we decorate our home hoping the kids will come so we can hand out candy and see their costumes,” said Maria.

But at least 80 Lake County men and women are banned from passing out candy or doing anything to attract trick or treaters, including having their exterior lights on.

Friday night 16 pairs of Sheriff’s deputies and probation officers will be checking the homes of sex offenders on probation.

“We want to make sure the kids are safe when they are out trick or treating and keeping in mind that offenders on probation are not allowed to decorate or do anything that would attract a child to their house,” said Sgt. Jim Vachon, Lake County Sheriff's Office.

There are no rules in Florida about sex offenders not on probation passing out candy, here in Lake County that means more than 80 percent of sex offenders are allowed, but some parents I spoke with said they’d prefer their children not visit them.

So the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has placed a link on their website, to find sex offenders in your area.

“It takes literally a matter of minutes to plug in your address and find out who’s around you.”

Sex offenders on probation caught handing out candy, with decorations, or even those who leave their outdoor lights on this evening, will be arrested and taken to jail. Deputies say any suspicious behavior should be reported to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

In Marion County, even more law enforcement officers will take part in "Operation Candy Sweep," checking on more than 200 sexual predators on probation or parole.

Both agencies want to parents to remind their children if the lights are off, do not trick-or-treat at that home. The residents could simply be away or out of candy, but it's possible the resident is a sex offender on probation.